Electric phonograph reproducer



NW7. 5, 1929.. THOMAS 11,734,542

ELECTRIC PHONOGRAPH REPRODUCER Filed Jan. 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 u 'lIrI-VIIIIIIIIIIII. .7

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IIIIIIII) v I Nov. 5, 1929. A. A. THOMAS ELECTRIC PHONOGRAPH REPRODUCEH Filed Jan. 28. 1.928 2 Sheets-Shae.

Ii/Iwn'llplllll/llli;Ill/fin INVENTOR two stylus members, one for lateral-cut anism.

Patented -l\lov. 5, ll

serene? @FFHQE ADOLPH A. THOMAS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC PHONOGRAPH REPRODUCER Application filed January 28, 1928. Serial No. 250,099.

My invention is for an electric phonograph reproducer or pickup adapted to play lateralcut and vertical-cut records, as desired. This new device is a unitary structure having records and the other for vertical-cut records.

In one form of the invention, my universal pickup plays either type of record without adjustment,but the stylus members may be so arranged that the pickup is adjustable on its supporting arm into two playing positions. This novel instrument is exceedingly simple in construction, operates with equal efliciency on both types of record, and either stylus member is brought into playing position in a very easy way, so that even a child can do it.

Briefly stated, my double pickup comprises a pair of stylus members for selectively playing lateral-cut records and vertical-cut records, and mechanism for producing electric impulses when playing either type of record. In a preferred form of my invention I use an elastic magnetic ring so mounted as to vibrate in its own plane by deformational movements. The two stylus members are connected to this ring for actuating the same when playing lateral-cut records and vertical-cut records respectively. The movements of the magnetic ring are converted into electric impulses, which are amplified to operate or control suitable loudspeaker mechreadily brought into playing position. As will appear later, my new reproducer is particularl adapted to play vertical-cut records of the ll dison type and lateral-cut records of the Victor type. The former type of record usually requires a diamond point permanently mounted on the reproducer, while the lateral-cut records are played with a needle that requires frequent changing.

Several embodiments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which I shall now describe in detail, so that my invention may be fully understood by those who are skilled in the art of electric sound reproduction. In these drawings Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a double- Neither stylus interferes with the operation. of the other, and each stylus is acting reproducer constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 represents a section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top view in section on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, to show the mounting of the needle arm;

Fig 5 is a sectional view of a modified construction;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan view in section on line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of another modification;

Fig. 9 represents a' section on line 99 of F 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view on line 10-10 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 illustrates a further modification, this View being partly diagrammatic;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the construction of Fig. 11 mounted on a supporting arm adapted to swing over a record, the reproducer being in position to play lateral-cut records;

Fig. 13 shows the reproducer casing of Fig. 12 in position to play vertical-cut records and Fig. 14 is a detail view in section on line 14-14 of Fig. 12' to show means for releas ably locking the yoke of Figs. 12 and 13 in either of two operative positions on its supporting arm.

Referring to Figs. 1-4, there is a cylindrical casing 10 mounted in operative position on a supporting arm 12, which is adapted to swing horizontally over a record and at the same time permit vertical movement of the casing when necessary. The casing 10 may be formed of non-magnetic sheet metal, cast of aluminum, molded of suitable composition material like bakelite, or produced in any other practical way. The side 13 of the casing is conveniently formed integral with the cylindrical body, and the open side is closed by a removable cover 14 of nonmagnetic material, which is held in place by screws 15 or otherwise.

An elastic magnetic ring 16 is fixed to casing by a fastening member 17, which may 5 tening member 17 extends and which holds the ring 16 clear of the casing, except at the point of support, so that the ring is free to vibrate in its own plane by deformational movement. To prevent lateral turning of the ring about the member 17, the boss 18 is provided with side flanges 19- Which engage the opposite edges of the ring and thereby lock it against accidental turning. The ring 16 consists of magnetic material having high permeability and the right degree of elasticity or flexibility. The proper dimensions of the ring may be readily determined by experiment.

The lower end of casing 10 is formed with a pair of spaced lugs 20 provided with screwthreaded openings in which are adjustably' fitted pointed bearing screws or pins 21. On these bearing pins is pivoted a bell crank comprising a vertical needle holder 22 and a horizontal arm 23. The parts 22 and 23 constitute a right-angled needle arm pivoted substantially at its apex so as to vibrate laterally with practically no lost motion. The tubular holder 22 is adapted to receive a needle 24 for playing lateral-cut records. A portion of such a record is sectionally indicated at 25 in Fig. 1. The inner end of arm 23 is secured to the elastic magnetic ring 16 by a screw or other fastening member 26. As seen in Fig. 2, the needle arm 23 is connected to the vibratory ring 60 at a point diametrically opposite the supporting point 17 of the ring.

A second stylus member 27 is connected to the magnetic ring 16 at the same point as the needle arm 23 and projects through a hole 27 in the bottom of casing 16. The screw 26 may be used to fasten the stylus member 27 rigidly to the ring 16, thereby simplifying the construction. In the present instance I have assumed that the member 27 holds a stylus point 28 adapted to play vertical-cut records of the Edison type. A portion of such a record is sectionally indicated at 29 in Fig. 2.' In the broader aspect of my invention, the vertically movable member 27 represents any practical form of stylus for playing vertical-cut records. It is well known that Edison records are best played with a diamond point permanently fastened in a holder, whereas records of the Path type are usually played with tiny sapphire balls mounted in a special form of holder adapted to be removably inserted in the socket of a needle arm.

In a casing 10 is mounted a permanent magnet 30, which is here shown in the form of a flat ring having diametric polar extensions 31. By making the body of the magnet circular to conform to the outline of the casing, it is possible to use a magnet of maximum length, thereby increasing its life and efficiency. The magnet 30 may be stamped out of sheetsteel, either solid or laminated. The best permanent magnets are usually made from silicon steel or cobalt steel. Pole pieces 32 of high permeability are secured to the magnet poles 31 by fastening members 33, which may be screws, bolts, rivets or the like. The pole pieces 32 have lateral extensions 3% arranged in diametricalignment and terminating close to the ring 16 to form airgaps 35, which are approximately at right angles to a diameter connecting the points 17 and 26. It is thus clear that the elastic magnetic ring 16 constitutes a vibratory armature for the pole pieces 32, which carry one or two coils 36. Only one coil need be used, but it is better to have two coils connected in series. The coils 36 are machine-wound and slipped over the pole pieces 32 before the latter are attached to the body of the magnet. If desired, the pole pieces 32 can be formed integral with the magnet, but I prefer to make them separatp, so as to permit the use of machine-wound e01 s.

The magnet 30 is rigidly supported in casing 10 in any practical way. In the drawings I have shown the magnet. secured to the inside of the removable cover 1 1 by screws 37 or other fastening means. By mounting the magnet and all parts carried thereby on the cover 14, the work of assembling the ring 16 and the connected stylus members in the easing is facilitated, since practically the entire chamber is free from obstruction. lVhen the cover 14 is secured to the casing, the magnet structure is automatically positioned in proper relation to the elastic ring 16.

The operation of the electric reproducer above described is this: Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that when the needle holder 22 is vibrated laterally bythe needle 241 in the lateral-cut record groove, the free end of arm 23 moves up and down and thereby vi-- brates the elastic magnetic ring 16 in its own plane. Strictly speaking, the connecting point 26 vibrates in an arc' having the pivot point 21 as a center, but these movements are .so exceedingly small that the arm 23 may be said to vibrate the vertical ring in its own plane. When the needle holder 22 moves to the right (as viewed in Fig. 1), the arm 23 pushes the lower end of ring 16 toward the 'fixed supporting point 17. This causes the diametric portions 16 of the ring to move away from the pole pieces 34, thereby increasing the airgaps 35 and decreasing the intensity of the magnetic field through the coils 36. When the needle holder 22 swings toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 1), the arm 23 pulls the lower end of ring 16 down and causes the polar portions 16 of the ring to approach the pole pieces 34:, thereby increasing the flux through the coils. It is clear from what has been said that the lateral vibrations of the needle holder 22 about its pivot 21 produce distortional movements of the elastic magnetic ring 16 in its own plane,

and these distortional movements vary the magnetic flux through the coils 36 to generate electric currents. I have not considered it necessary to show any circuit connections for the coils 36, because electric amplifying systems for phonographic reproduction are well known in the art. It will therefore beunderstood that the current impulses produced in the coil or coils 36 by the vibratory movements of the elastic magnetic ring 16 are suitably amplified to operate or controlloudspeaker mechanism or to perform any other useful function.

The transmission ratio between the needle 24 and the magnetic ring 16 depends upon the relative lengths of the right-angled parts 22 and 23. In Fig. 1,-the distance between:

the pivot point 21 and the point of needle 24 is slightly greater than the distance between the pivot point and the connection 26, so that the needle vibrations are transferred to the ring 16 in sli htlyreduced ratio. That is not objectiona 1e, because the ring 16 is exceedingly sensitive in its efiect on the field magnet, and even if the result-ant electric impulses are very feeble, there is no difficulty in amplifying them to the proper strength by means of radio tubes. can be so dimensioned that the transmission ratio between the needle point and the ring 16 is unity, or greater than unity, or (as shown) less than unity.

To play vertical-cut records, the operator places the stylus point 28 of member 27 'in the record groove without paying any attention to the needle holder 22, except to see that it contains no needle. It will beseen in Fig.

1 that the stylus point 28 projects below the needle holder 22, so that the latter does not touch the record. Thevertical movements of stylus member 27 produce vibration of ring 16 in precisely the same way as above described in reference to the needle-actuated arm 23. In the case of vertical-cut records,

3 the vertical movements of member27 are communicated directly to the elastic magnetic ring 16 along a diameter connecting the points 17 and 26, or at least as nearly so as mechanical conditions permit. Since the movements of the reciprocable stylus member 27' are very small (almost microscopic), the arm 23 does not interfere with the operation of member- 27. For the same reason the member 27 does not interfere with the operation of the bellcrank 2223. It may be noted, in passing,

that the stylus members 2223 and 27 are made as light as possible by being made of aluminum or like material, so as to add no appreciable load or drag to the elastic ring 16. Considering the parts 16, 22-23 and 27 as a vibratory unit, the inertia of-this unit is so small that it responds instantly and faith- The arms 22 and 23.

formed integral with the body, but the top 40 is a removable cover plate for access to the interior of the casing. Screws 41 or other fastening members hold the cover 40 in place. The casing 38 is formed with a recessed boss 42 for supporting the elastic magnetic ring 16 by means of a screw 43, or other fastening member. In other words, the ring 16 is supported in casing 38 in the same way as ring 16 in casing 10.

A pair of lugs or ears 44 project downwardly from the bottom of casing 38 to receive adjustable bearing screws 45 between which a needle arm 46 is pivoted'for playing lateralcut records. The needle arm 46 has a tubular holder 47 for receiving a needle 48. The needle arm 46 is preferably of light strong material like aluminum and is connected at its inner end to the ring 16 by a screw 49,

or in: any other practical way. The actuating point 49 is diametrically opposite the supporting point 43, as may be seen in Fig. 7.

'If the needle arm 46 is flat in the plane of 16, thereby facilitating a rigid connection between these two parts.

The fastening member 49 also serves to connect a stylus member 50 to the ring 16 for playing vertical-cut records. The stylus member 50, which may be. regarded as similar to the stylus member 27 in Figs. 1 and 2, projects through a slot 51 at the top of casing 38. The bottom 39 of the casing has an opening 52 between the supporting .lugs 44 to allow free movement of the needle arm 46 and at the same time permit the same to be inserted throughthe top of the casing. .The slot 51 and opening 52 thus enable the ring 16 and the connected stylus members 46 and 50 to be inserted as a unit into the casing before the cover 40 is put on. The set-screw 53 for holding the needles 48 is attached to the needle holder 47 after the latter has passed through the casing.

A. permanent magnet 54 is fixed in casing 38 by bolts 55, or in any other practical way. As seen in Fig. 6, the body of the magnet 54 follows the outline of the casing so as to give The pole pieces 57 terminate in close proximity to the ring 16 to form a pair of airgaps 58. Coils 59 are mounted on the polepieces 57 and hell in place by pins 60, or otherwise. Only one coil 59 is really necessary, but it is better to use two coils connected in series. The magnet 51 may be shaped from a single flat bar of magnetic steel, solid or laminated. The coils 59 are machine-wound and easily slipped in place on the straight pole pieces 57. The magnet structure is therefore exceedingly simple and is readily mounted in the casing 38 by inserting it through the open top.

The operation of the construction shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is the same as that of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, as previously described in detail, and that part of the specification need not be repeated. The essential diiference between these two constructions is that, in the embodiment of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the casing 10 requires no adjustment on its supporting arm to play either type of record. However, in the modification of Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the two stylus members are mounted in such relation that the casing 38 must be rotated about ninety degrees (a quarter turn) on its supporting arm. Looking at Fig. 5, the casing 38 is in position to enable the needle arm 46 to play lateralcut records. The vibrations of the needle 48 are transmitted to the ring 16 in amplified ratio. To play vertical-cut records, the easing 38 is turned clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 5) on its supporting arm through an arc of about ninety degrees until the stylus member 50 is in vertical position with respect to a record on the turntable. If we turn Sheet 1 of the drawings clockwise until the ring 16 and stylus member 50 of Fig. 5 are approximately vertical, the dotted line 61 (which will then be horizontal) will indicate a Vertical-cut record on the turntable.

Any suitable means may be used to hold the casing 38 in either of its adjusted positions on the supporting arm 12. For instance, the hub 38 of the casing may have a radial slot 62, through which extends a fixed stop or set-screw 63 carried by the arm 12. The arcuate slot 62 is of such length as to permit rotation of the casing 38 on arm 12 over an arc of about ninety degrees, to bring either of the stylus members 46 and 50 into playing position. The casing is firmly held by friction or suitable spring means in either of its adjusted positions.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 show a third embodiment, which is generally similar to the construction of Figs. 5, 6 and 7, but has the advantage of greater compactness. The casing 64 of Figs. 8, 9 and 10- is round and shallow, like a pill-box. The elastic magnetic ring 16 is supported at 65 in the plane of the casing, this supporting arrangement being similar I to that of ring 16 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The

bottom of casing 64 has a pair of spaced ears or lugs 66 carryin pointed screws 67, or other bearing mem ers, for pivotally supporting a short needle arm 68 adapted to receive a needle or other stylus 69 for playing lateral-cut records. The inner end of needle arm 68 is connected by a. screw 70 to the magnetic ring 16 at a point diametrically opposite the supporting point 65. The screw 70 also connects a stylus member 71 to ring 16 for playing vertical-cut records. The stylus member 71 projects through a slot 72 in the side of casing 64 and the needle holder 68 projects through an opening 73 in the bottom of the casing. This arrangement permits the connected parts 16, 68 and 71 to be inserted into the casing as a unit.

A magnetic bar 74 is secured to the top plate 75 of the casing by screws 76, which pass into the bar through lugs or bushings 77 formed on the inside of the cover. A coil 78 is mounted on the magnetic bar 74 between the lugs 77, so that the coil is firmly held in place without additional fastening means. After the elastic magnetic ring 16 and its connected parts have been mounted in casing 64, the cover 75 is attached to the casing by screws 79, whereby the magnetic bar 74 is automatically positioned in correct relation to the ring 16. As shown in Fig. 10, the magnetic bar 74 extends along a diameter substantially at right angles to a diameter connecting the points 65 and 70. The polar ends of the magnetic bar 74 are separated from the ring 16 by airgaps 80, which vary in accordancewith the vibrations of ring 16 in its own plane by the stylus members 68 and 71. This will be clear from what was said in explaining the operation of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Since the magnetic bar 74 is considerably shorter than the elastic magnetic ring 16, it is preferable to make the ring 16 a permanent magnet with pole pieces N and S opposite the ends of bars 74, which thereby becomes a fixed armature or core for the coil 78. In that case, of course, the bar 74 is preferably of high magnetic permeability. This construction produces a very sensitive instrument, which can be made unusually light and compact.

Fig 8 shows the casing 64 in horizontal position for playing lateral-cut records through the medium of the pivoted needle arm 68. When the casing 64 is turned clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 8) on its supporting arm 12 through an arc of about ninety degrees, the stylus member 71 is brought into vertical position to play vertical-cut records. This adjustment of the casing 64 from one position to the other may be accomplished in the same way as the adjustment of casing 38 of Figs. 5, 6 and 7, or by means of any other practical mounting.

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show a flat casing 81 in which the elastic magnetic ring 16 is supported at 82 for vibratory movement in its 'own plane, the same as in the constructions removable cover 85 on which the magnetic bar 83 and coil 84 may conveniently be mount ed, like the bar 74 and coil 78 of Figs. 8, 9 and 10. In Fig. 11, the bar 83 and coil 84 are represented in a diametric way for clearness.

A needle arm 86 in Fig. 11 is pivoted at 87 to the casing 81. The inner end of needle arm 86 is connected to the ring 16 at 88, which is diametrically opposite the supporting point 82 of the ring. The needle arm 86 is provided below thepivot point 87 with a rightangled extension consisting of a needle holder 89 for lateral-cut records and a stylus holds er 90 for vertical-cut records. The needle holder 89 has a set-screw 91 for clamping the inserted needle 92 in place. If the stylus holder 90 is intended for Edison records, the stylus 93 is preferably a diamond point permanently mounted in its holder.

The casing 81 carries a pair of pins or screws 94 which engage the yoke arms 95 extending from a sleeve 93 rotatably supported on a swinging arm or rod 97. A post 98 mounted on the motorboard of the phonograph carries a horizontally rotatable cap 99, which has a pair of upstanding ears 100 carrying a pin 101. The rear end of arm 97 is connected to the horizontal pivot pin 101 for movement in a vertical direction. The horizontally turnable cap 99 on. the fixed post 98 allows the arm 97 to swing horizontally over a record. Any other practical form of mounting may be used for the reproducer arm 97 When it is desired to play lateral-cut rec-.

ords through the needle 92, the reproducer casing 81 is adjusted into the position shown in Fig. 12. For playing vertical-cut records, the casing 81 is turned about the pins or screws 94 until it is substantially in line with the yoke 95. Then the sleeve 96 is given a quarter turn on the arm 97 until the casing 81 is vertical, as shown in Fig. 13. The vertically movable stylus member 90 is now in osition to play vertical-cut records. It will he noticed that in either position of casing 81, the actuating arm 86 vibrates about its pivot 87 to produce deformational vibratory movements of ring 16 in its own plane.

The casing 81 should be held firmly in either ofits adjusted positions. This may be accomplished in various ways. By way of example, I have shown the casing provided at each side with a pair of indentations 102 and 103 The yoke arms 95 have rounded bosses or buttons 104 and 105. When the casing is in the position shown in Fig. 12 for playing lateral-cut records, the buttons 104 engage the recesses 102 in the sides of the casing, so that the latter is safely held.in proper playing position. When the casing 81 is turned about the pivot pins 94 into line with the yoke 95, the buttons 105 on the yoke arm snap into the recesses 103 of the casing, which is thus locked against pivotal movement about the pins or screws 94.

It is also necessary to provide stop means for the rotatable sleeve 96. This may be accomplished in several practical ways. In Figs. 12, 13 and 14 I have shown the sleeve 96 provided with a tubular extension 106 closed by a screw-cap 107. An expansion coil spring 108 in the tubular extension 106 presses against a small steel ball 109 and holds the same in one or the other of the two rounded recesses 110 and 112 formed in the swinging arm 97 As shown in Fig. 14, the recesses 110 and 112 are approximately ninety degrees apart. 1 When the casing 81 is in position to play lateral-cut records as shown in Fig. 12, the spring-pressed ball 109 is in recess 110. When the casing 81 is adjusted to play vertical-cut records, as shown in Fig. 13, the ball 109 is in recess 112. The strength of coil spring 108 is so adjusted that not too much 'force is required to turn the sleeve 96, and

yet sulficient pressure is exerted on ball 109 to hold the yoke 95 in either of its adjusted positions. The same remarks apply to the cooperating recesses and projections on the casing 81 and yoke arms 95, which are sufficiently resilient to permit adjustment of the casing about the pivot pins or screws 94 without too great an efiort by the operator.

The various modifications that I have described in detail are not to be considered as limitations of my invention, which is manifestly susceptible of other embodiments. As far as I know, I am the first to devise an electric phonograph pickup having two different stylus members for playing different types of records, and I claim this-idea in a fundamental way, both as regards those forms of the invention in which the reproducer casing need not be adjusted on its supporting arm, and those forms in which the casing is adjusted on its support from one playingposition to the other. It will be noticed that in all forms of my invention the .two stylus members are mounted in fixed refixed relation of the stylus members means that they need not be adjusted into difierent positions on the casing for playing diilerent kinds of records, and this holds true whether the casing as a whole is adjustable on its supporting arm or is mounted thereon in fixed position. In the basic aspect of my invention, any practical form of electromagnetic mechanism may be used for converting the movements of the two stylus members into electric impulses. Ihave shown an elastic magnetic ring 16 in all the various modifications, because it gives a structure of unusual simplicity and efliciency. Unless, therefore, I specifically include an elastic magnetic ring in any of the claims, my invention is not limited to any particular kind of electromagnetic reproducing mechanism.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electric phonograph reproducer having a vibratory element for generating electric impulses, and a pair of stylus members connected to said element in fixed relation thereto for selectively actuating the same to play lateral-cut records and vertical-cut recor s.

2. An electric phonograph reproducer having a pivoted holder for a needle to play lateral-cut records, a vertically movable holder for a stylus to play vertical-cut records, a vibratory magnetic member to which said holders are connected in fixed relation thereto, and means for converting the movements of said magnetic member into electric impulses.

3. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising a casing, two stylus members carried by said casing in fixed relation thereto for selectively playing lateral-cut and vertical-cut records, means for adjustably mounting said casing on a supporting arm to bring either stylus member into playing position, and means common to both stylus members for generating electric impulses by the vibrations of either stylus member.

4. An, electric phonograph reproducer having a stylus member for playing lateral-cut records, a second stylus member for playing vertical-cut records, either stylus member bemg selectively movable into playing position, a single pivotal support for simultaneously holding said stylus members in fixed relation to said support, the first named member being substantially in line with the supporting pivot and the second member being at the same time to one side of said pivot, a vibratory magnetic element actuated by said stylus members, and electromagnetic means for producing current impulses by the vibrations of said magnetic element.

5. An electric phonograph reproducer having a laterally pivoted arm for playing lateral-cut records, said arm having a holder for removably supporting a needle, a separate stylus holder connected to said arm and carrying a stylus for playing vertical-cut records, said holders being rigidly connected to said arm in fixed relation thereto, a vibratory member operated by either of said holders, and electro-magnetic means controlled by said member.

6. An electric phonograph reproducer having a pivoted arm provided with two stylus holders mounted in fixed relation to said arm, one of said holders being for lateral-cut records and the other holder for vertical-cut records, and means controlled by the vibrations of said pivoted arm to generate electric impulses when playing either type of record.

7. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising an elastic magnetic element, a pair of selectively operable stylus members connected to said element for vibrating the same, one of said stylus members being adapted to play lateral-cut records and the other stylus member being adapted to play verticalcut records, said elastic element also acting as arestoring spring for said members, and electromagnetic means for generating current impulses by the vibrations of said element.

8. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising a casing, a vibratory element, a right-angled support pivoted to said casing in fixed relation thereto, a pair of stylus members mounted on said support, and connected to said element for actuating the same, one of said members being adapted to play lateral-cut records and the other member being adapted to play vertical-cut records, and means for converting the movements of said element into electric impulses.

9. A universal electric pickup for phonographscomprising a casing adapted to be operatively mounted on a supporting arm, a vibratory support carried by said casing, two stylus members carried by said support in fixed relation to said casing, one of said members being removably mounted in said support for playing lateral-cut records, the other member being permanently mounted in said support for playing vertical-cut records, and means for converting the movements of said support into electric impulses.

10. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising a casing adapted to be mounted as a unit on a supporting arm and adjustable thereon into two playing positions, a stylus member carried by said casing for playing lateral-cut records when the casing is in one position, a second stylus member on said casing for playing vertical-cut records when the casing is in the other position, said stylus member being mounted in fixed relation to said casing, and means in said casing for producing electric impulses by the vibrations of either stylus member, said.v means including a vibratory element to which both of said stylus members are connected.

11. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising an elastic ring deformable in its.

own plane for vibratory movement, a stylus member for operating said ring when playing lateral-cut records, a second stylus memher for operating said ring when playing Vertical-cut records, and means for converting the movements of said ring into electric impulses.

12. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising an elastic magnetic ring mounted to vibrate in its own plane by deformational movements, a pair of stylus members connected to said ring for actuating the same, one of said members. being adapted to play lateral-cut records and the other member being adapted to play vertical-cut records, and electromagnetic means for converting the movements of said ring into electric impulses.

13. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising a casing adapted to be mounted as a unit on a supporting arm and adjustable thereon into two playing positions, an elastic ring mounted in said casing so as to vibrate in its own plane by deformational movements, a needle arm pivoted to said casing and connected to said ring for playing lateral-cut records, a stylus member connected to said ring for playing vertical-cut records, and means in said casing for producing electrical impulses by the vibrations of said needle arm and said stylus member.

14:. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising a casing adapted to be mounted as a unit on a. supporting arm and adjustable thereon into two playing positions, a stylus member carried by said casing for playing lateral-cut records when the casing is in one position, a second stylus member on said casing for playing vertmal-cutrecords when the casing is in the other position, an elastic ring to Which both stylus members are connected and which also acts as a restoring spring for said members, and means for producing electric impulses by the vibrations of said ring.

15. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising an elastic ring supported at a point in its circumference so as to vibrate in its own plane, a stylus member mounted on said ring at a point diametrically opposite said point of support and adapted to play vertical-cut records, a pivoted needle arm connected to said ring for playing lateralcut records, said stylus member and said needle arm being selectively movable into playing position to vibrate said ring in its own plane, and means for converting the vibrations of said ring into electric impulses.

16. An electric phonograph reproducer comprising a casing adapted to be adjustably mounted on a supporting arm for selectively playing lateral-out and vertical-cut records, an elastic ring connected at its circumference to said casing for vibratory movement in its own plane, a needle arm pivoted to said casing for playing lateral-cut records, the inner end of said needle arm being connected to said ring, a stylus member mounted on said ring and adapted to play vertical-cut records, said elastic ring being horizontal 

